Other Pets
Tiny instruments; quick, steady hands
Fourth in a series Anybody with a major trauma, including a 5-day-old eviscerated turkey, is assumed to be shocky. Blood vessels lose their tone, meaning that their diameter expands –…
Read MoreTurkey Jerky?
Third in a series “John” the 11 year old poodle bounced in the door for his suture removal 10 days later. If it weren’t for his undignified tummy haircut you…
Read MoreThe Geek Next Door
Second in a series
I admit to being an annoying adherent to the Queen’s English, having shaken my head when hearing the noun ‘geek’ misappropriated. In our highly digitized society people can be fondly referred to this way or even adorn themselves with this moniker. It was not always so.
Fowl in Tuscany – Happy, Not Crowded, Not Factory
Who wants to be crowded like a bunch of sardines, which are quite dead in the can by the way? These chickens and geese enjoy a big enclosure where they…
Read MoreSandhill Cranes of New Mexico
These splendid birds arrive every fall in our beautiful state. Many folks drive to Bosque del Apache to get a glimpse but we can enjoy these almost prehistoric creatures up…
Read MoreBaby Boomer Brains & Hitting Balls
Are baby boomers concerned about their cognitive abilities declining? It gets my attention. I published my residency research on cognitive dysfunction syndrome in elderly pets. There’s a whole lot of…
Read MoreTurtle Dip
This Western box turtle paddled by us yesterday at the Bachechi Open Space. They’ll eat from a menu that may include earthworms, grasshoppers, beetles, slugs, fruits, or plants, depending on…
Read MoreTurkey vultures
I like turkey but that’s not what comes to mind when you see a turkey vulture eat dead animals. This bunch was hanging out in the Rio Grande Bosque this…
Read MoreHorny Ninja Lizard
I also came upon this little reptile during my hike in the Weminuche Wilderness of Southern Colorado. Was this a horny toad? I’d call them that in the past but…
Read MoreHere we sit like Birds in the Wilderness, Birds in the Wilderness…
I encountered this lovely creature while hiking in the Weminuche Wilderness in Southern Colorado. This female dusky grouse was trying to mind her own business while I stalked her. I’d hoped…
Read MoreTiger Mama Needs Babies
In a zoo in California , a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately, due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born…
Read MoreElephant Basketball
Wild animals don’t make good pets nor do they belong in display enclosures. But these relaxed creatures have work they enjoy – and they have space to move and interact.…
Read MoreGood Buddies
Friendships happen between creatures of different species because they share empathy and kindness. Our species could do better with other humans – we aren’t really different than each other. We can…
Read MoreWillets of Chincoteague
If you kayak from Chincoteague to Assateague Island on the Atlantic shore or Virginia you might get lucky enough to enjoy the sight of wild Spanish ponies. You’ll also have…
Read MoreA Ferret in a Haystack
Last in a series Following her uneventful spay procedure, and prior to her mysterious disappearance, our ferret patient Miss Ellie had been resting in a cage in the treatment room.…
Read MorePonies of Chincoteague
Remember Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry? Well, even if you never read this excellent series of children’s books you would love a visit to Chincoteague Island. We took a…
Read MoreFerret on the Run; Are We Having Fun Yet?
Third in a series One fine day, early in my career, a colleague called in a panic. A staff member carrying trash to the dumpster had left their rear door…
Read MoreSurgery Was a Success but we Misplaced the Patient
Second in a series Avoiding the perils of female ferret fertility is simple nowadays; nearly all young jills are spayed prior to sale. Back in the day, they were adopted…
Read MoreLife of the Single Female Ferret
First in a series My general veterinary practice was busy. That might sound like a good problem but despite meticulous preparation I was seldom caught up. There seemed to be…
Read MoreFriendly porcupine? Uh – oh
There’s a reason these slow creatures with their prickly personalities are seldom seen. They’re mostly active at night, normally spending the day in trees. They may forage for food during…
Read MoreGoats: roamers, climbers, and butters
It was a laid back herd of wild goats who crossed our path, and the road, on St. John island. There was no professional goat herder present; Heidi and her…
Read MoreIguana for breakfast?
This tropical creature on the island of St. John camped out in the almond tree next to our bed & breakfast porch while we ate – breakfast. It gathered it’s…
Read MoreGrazing on the Fly
Peacocks on St. John island are somewhat leery of people, well, those of us with a pulse anyway. Folks in this gorgeous Caribbean land of manana bury their departed above…
Read MoreRattlesnake-Fun or Scary?
I had just doffed my pack when arriving at our campsite in the Gila Wilderness last weekend when my friend Tom said, “Look – a rattlesnake.” And there, right where…
Read MoreMedia – COVID19 in Cats & Dogs
Sick People Infect their Pets This COVID19 pandemic continues to hang over us like a dark cloud, new variants putting unvaccinated people at increasing risk. Now we know that pets…
Read MoreMedia – Tortoise poop … is it bad for dogs?
Question: Our large back yard is shared by our Russian tortoise and our 5 pound (11 month old) poodle. Last spring, when “Tortie” came out of hibernation, our puppy started…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Killer Plants and Chocolate Bunnies
Buds, bulbs, leaves, seeds and chocolate Easter eggs: What could go wrong?
Read MoreMedia – Springtime Pet Toxins
Be Careful this Easter Everybody loves springtime flowers and plants but some buds, bulbs, leaves, and seeds can be unsafe for our pets. Swallowing any plant material can cause a…
Read MoreMedia – Wascally Wabbit Shredding Shrubs
Foil Foliage Filching Question: I have a rabbit living in my front yard and eating the leaves off my evergreen shrubs that are about 30 years old. He’s eaten all…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – COVID Risk to Pets or from Pets?
Research on cats and dogs in households with confirmed human infections found that a minority of pets got infected. Will they be OK? How about the rest of the family?
Read MoreMedia – Horses & Asses
Simplify the Politics Question: We adopted a jenny to be a buddy for our elderly horse. At first she was happy to share food, but with time and confidence she…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Webinar – Children and Santa and Grown-ups, Oh My! Sudden Changes Cause a Risk Reaction
Media – Plants, snacks, & drugs
Avoid Poisons & Injury Conspicuous Christmas consumption isn’t just for humans; our pets eagerly indulge in dietary indiscretion too. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center provides the following list of…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Gifting Pet? Trojan Horse?
The pets in my life have taught me, saved me, and grounded me. Shouldn’t everybody have unconditional love and support? Maybe. Christmas pet presents can go right or they can…
Read MoreMedia – Learning in the Bullied
Stress Matters Magawa isn’t just any rat; he is the very best at what he does. You may recall from “The Year of the Rat” in last week’s Fetch page…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Fireworks Fear & Sweaty Paws
Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. A freaked-out dog or cat needs serious relief from fear. I’ll make it easy for…
Read MoreMedia – Fireworks Freak-Out
Comfort Scared Pets with Good Management Startled by earsplitting blasts, many otherwise stable pets will endure almost continual panic this weekend. Scared dogs may hide, tremble, drool, cry or howl,…
Read MoreMedia – COVID-19 in Pets
Don’t Panic-Be Careful Staying home is a real drag but if you have pets you’ll never be alone. We don’t need social distancing from them, do we? Here’s the update…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Listen to the Animals
Horses and dogs communicate with us – even if we don’t notice. They can love what we do and repay us with joy or they can react badly. Smart dogs…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Pets at Work
Build morale! A shared passion! Bring your own? Barking, biting, messes, bathroom breaks? I love office pets. The shoulds of rules and accountability.
Read MoreMedia – Rabbit Ears
Not always Pretty Question: We have had a truly organic constantly changing “rabbit garden” within our backyard. Bunny Town USA has had many happy years and happy healthy rabbit broods.…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Gift Pets: Good Idea? Bad Idea?
You’ve found the perfect pet for someone really special. In your mind you can already see them together! Watching the wriggling box get unwrapped and that look of astonishment and…
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Death by Summer Heat
Heat stroke can end a life quickly – And it’s about more than just hot cars
Read MoreDr. Nichol’s Video – Mama’s Empathic Example
Kindness can be found everywhere from chimpanzees to dog, cats, and people.
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Animals Recognize and Recall Human Facial Expressions
Research shows that Horses are On to Us – Other members of the animal kingdom lack some of our complex reasoning abilities but they’re surprisingly skilled at identifying our feelings.…
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Punishment & A Foul Mouthed Parrot
Set Pets Up for Success; then Teach them What to Do Right John received a parrot as a gift, one with a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every…
Read MoreAlbuquerque Journal Article – Rat Virus Infectious to Humans
Rarely Fatal, Pet Rats can be Tested There is a subset of animal lovers with pet rats. I like these gentle creatures. I’ve have had their genetic cousins, gerbils, myself.…
Read MoreSkunks have Needs Too
Scent Glands, Diet, and Environmental Enrichment Question: This x-ray is of my pet skunk. He is a neutered male, 10 months old. He has gone off his back legs. Dr.…
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